UNH roundup: Erler named to D-I senior game

Friday

Nov 2, 2012 at 3:15 AM

FROM STAFF REPORTS

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Senior midfielder and captain Emma Erler of the University of New Hampshire field hockey team was selected to the 2012 NFHCA Division I Senior Game, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon. This year’s senior contest will be held Saturday, Nov. 17 (3 p.m.) at Old Dominion University.

Erler, who was also named to the America East All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team on Wednesday, started all 18 regular-season games. She recorded three goals and six assists for 12 points to rank tied for second on the team in assists. Erler had a team-best four-game assist streak spanning Aug. 31 to Sept. 14 in which she tallied a total of five assists.

Her season highlights include a one-goal, two-assist effort at Brown University (Aug. 31) in which she tied her personal bests in both assists and points (four). Erler is an integral part of UNH’s success on the offensive penalty corner unit as the insert, and she is also a member of the defensive penalty corner unit.

Erler stepped into a starting role as a sophomore and has been a linchpin in New Hampshire’s midfield ever since; she has also been an important part of the team’s successful penalty corner units — both offense and defense — the past two years. Erler emerged as an offensive threat last year, when she recorded 18 points (4g, 10a) to rank second in assists and fourth in points. In 71 career games (60 starts), Erler has tallied 36 points (9g, 18a).

Her other collegiate accolades include NFHCA All-Academic Squad (2009-10-11), America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2009-10-11) and the aforementioned All-Academic Team (2010-11).

This marks the fourth year in a row the Wildcats will be represented in the NFHCA Senior Game. Dating back to 2009, senior forward and current Wildcats’ assistant coach Meg Shea was named to the squad. In 2010, it was midfielder Kara Connolly representing UNH in College Park, Md. In 2011, the game was held at the University of Maryland, where UNH sent a pair of seniors — forward Whitney Frates and back Kyle Lyons.

Erler and New Hampshire (11-7 overall, 5-0 America East) return to action Nov. 2 as host of the America East Championship for the third consecutive year. Top-seeded UNH faces Fairfield University in a semifinal at Memorial Field. Game time is 2 p.m.

Men’s soccer players honored

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The UNH men’s soccer team had three players honored Thursday afternoon by earning America East All-Conference accolades. Senior Jordan Thomas was named to the First Team All-Conference squad while Lucas Goerigk was tabbed as an All-Rookie Team selection. Senior Ryan McNabb was honored as a member of the All-Academic Team.

Thomas finished the 2012 regular season with eight points, racking up three goals and dishing out a pair of assists. The back gave the Wildcats their first win of the year in a double-overtime match at Michigan State (Aug. 26), notching the game’s only goal. Thomas tallied a season-high three points in New Hampshire’s 2-1 thrilling double OT win at Hartford (Oct. 10). He tallied the game-tying goal in the 88th minute of play and assisted on the game winner in the 104th minute of play to give the ‘Cats the win.

Goerigk had a solid freshman campaign with the Wildcats as a back/midfielder. He started all 15 games that he appeared in, helping the ‘Cats secure five shouts and the fourth-best goals against average in the conference (1.19).

McNabb received his second nod to the All-Academic Team in his career. The senior back started nine of the 13 games he played in 2012, tallying his first career point. The assist came in New Hampshire’s double OT win at Hartford. In order to qualify for the distinction, a student-athlete (of at least sophomore academic standing) must have a minimum cumulative grade-point-average of 3.30 and be a starter or prominent reserve who has played in at least 50% of the team’s games this season to be eligible for the All-Academic Team.

The Wildcats return to the pitch Saturday, Nov. 3 when they travel to New York for their America East quarterfinal matchup at the University at Albany. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

DeSmith HE goalie of the month

WAKEFIELD, Mass. — Sophomore goaltender Casey DeSmith of the ninth-ranked University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month for October. The announcement was made Thursday afternoon by the league office. DeSmith earns the award for the first time in his career and becomes the first Wildcat since Matt Di Girolamo (March 2011) to win this award.

DeSmith went 4-0-1 in the month of October to collect a pair of Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week awards. The sophomore netminder posted a 1.77 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. He allowed three goals or fewer every game in October by allowing three goals twice, two goals once, one goal once and earned his second career shutout, stopped 34 shots, on Oct. 27 against Northeastern. DeSmith ranks first in league play with a 1.30 GAA and a .950 save percentage through three games, all against nationally-ranked opponents. He helped the Wildcats to their best start since the 2000-01 season.

DeSmith and the Wildcats continue this three-game road stretch with games at Massachusetts (Nov. 2 — 7 p.m.) and Maine (Nov. 4 — 4 p.m.) this weekend. UNH’s next home game is Nov. 10 (7 p.m.) against the University of Vermont. Tickets to the Vermont game and all men’s hockey home games are available online at UNHWildcats.com.

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